The enigmatic sites of Peru trip
PeruExplore the enigmatic sites featured in this thoughtfully designed journey, one of our most immersive Peru trips for discerning travelers seeking a deeper connection to the country’s timeless landscapes and living cultures. This itinerary blends expert local guides, seamless private transfers, and carefully selected stays that balance comfort with authenticity.
Rich in meaningful encounters and paced for discovery, this experience highlights seasonal moments and special access opportunities that elevate your understanding of Peru. Connect with our Peru specialists to personalize your departure and begin planning an unforgettable adventure.
The enigmatic sites of Peru trip highlights
- Private Machu Picchu sunrise: Witness Machu Picchu at dawn in Peru with a private guide, an intimate, authentic experience steeped in history.
- Culinary encounters in Cusco: Savor regional, market-to-table meals crafted with local chefs while learning ancestral cooking techniques.
- Living culture with Quechua families: Stay in homestays, share traditions, and co-design activities with Quechua hosts for authentic cultural exchange.
- Custom Sacred Valley explorations: Choose hikes, artisan visits, or private ceremonies, built around your interests and pace for meaningful discovery.
- Amazon Biodiversity, your way: Explore Peru's Manu or Tambopata with guides, focusing on wildlife, photography, or conservation projects.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lima | • Airport meet and private transfer • Miraflores and Huaca Pucllana • Historic Center tour and San Francisco catacombs | Lima |
| 2 | Lima → Nazca | • Scenic bus journey along the coast • Arrival transfer and leisure time | Nazca |
| 3 | Nazca → Lima | • Nazca Lines overflight • Afternoon bus to Lima • Transfer to hotel | Lima |
| 4 | Lima → Cusco | • Flight to Cusco • Hotel transfer and coca tea welcome • Orientation walk | Cusco |
| 5 | Cusco → Sacred Valley | • Pisac Market and valley views • Lunch in Urubamba • Ollantaytambo fortress | Sacred Valley |
| 6 | Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu → Cusco | • Train to Aguas Calientes • Guided Machu Picchu tour • Optional Huayna Picchu hike • Return train to Cusco | Cusco |
| 7 | Cusco → Puno | • Andahuaylillas Church • Raqchi sanctuary • La Raya pass and Pukara • Arrival transfer | Puno |
| 8 | Puno / Lake Titicaca | • Uros Floating Islands • Taquile Island with lunch • Return boat transfer | Puno |
| 9 | Puno | • Private airport transfer • Departure assistance | — |
Colonial and modern Lima city tour
Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel before beginning a personalized introduction to Peru travel in the capital. Start at Parque del Amor in Miraflores for sweeping Pacific views, followed by a panoramic stop at the pre Inca site of Huaca Pucllana.
Continue to Lima’s historic center to admire Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and City Hall. Conclude with a guided visit to the atmospheric catacombs beneath the Convent of San Francisco before returning to your hotel to relax.
Lima to Nazca
Your guide will accompany you to the bus station for a scenic journey south from Lima to Nazca. Settle into a comfortable coach as the coastal desert landscapes and small towns unfold along the route.
Upon arrival, a local representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel, allowing time to relax and refresh. The afternoon is at leisure to unwind or begin arranging visits to the iconic Nazca Lines and nearby desert sites.
Nazca Lines overflight and return to Lima
Your guide will transfer you to the local aerodrome for an unforgettable flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. From above, take in the vast geometric figures etched into the desert as your pilot provides insightful commentary on their history and theories.
In the afternoon, travel back to Lima by bus. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, concluding a remarkable day of discovery in comfort.
Lima to Cusco
Early this morning, a private transfer will take you from your Lima hotel to the airport for a short flight to Cusco. As the aircraft approaches the Andes, enjoy sweeping mountain views that hint at the adventures ahead.
Upon arrival, a driver will escort you to your hotel, where a welcoming cup of coca tea helps with acclimatization. Your local team will shape the day around your pace, offering a gentle orientation walk and insights into Cusco’s living traditions in one of the best places to visit in Peru.
From Cusco to the Sacred Valley
Begin early from Cusco for a personalized day in the Sacred Valley. Explore the vibrant Pisac Market with your guide, browse finely crafted textiles and handicrafts, meet local artisans, and take in sweeping views over the valley.
After lunch in Urubamba, continue to Ollantaytambo to walk through its remarkable Inca fortress and living town, where masterful stonework and ancient streets reveal the ingenuity of Inca engineering.
Return to your Sacred Valley hotel in the late afternoon to relax and reflect on the day’s discoveries.
Train to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
A private transfer will escort you to Ollantaytambo station, where a scenic train journey carries you through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. From there, a short shuttle ride ascends to Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of any thoughtfully designed Peru itinerary.
For those seeking an added challenge, an optional climb of Huayna Picchu offers sweeping panoramic views, subject to permit availability.
Explore the majestic citadel, believed to have served as a royal retreat for the Inca Pachacutec, and enjoy lunch surrounded by masterful stonework. Later, return to Cusco by train as the Andean landscape drifts past your window.
Cusco to Puno
Depart early from Cusco for your journey to Puno, stopping at San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, to admire its colonial art.
Continue to the impressive Inca sanctuary of Raqchi, associated with Pachacutec and the god Wiracocha, followed by a regional lunch.
Travel across sweeping high Andean plains, passing herds of llamas and reaching the La Raya pass, before pausing at the ancient site of Pukara. Arrive in Puno and transfer privately to your hotel.
Uros and Taquile Island full-day tour
After breakfast, depart from your hotel for a boat excursion across Lake Titicaca to the Uros floating islands. Walk along the totora reed platforms, meet local families, and learn about the traditional craftsmanship that sustains this remarkable community.
Continue to Taquile Island to meet master weavers, take in sweeping lake views, and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with regional ingredients. In the afternoon, return by boat to Puno and transfer back to your hotel.
Departure
Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel in Puno to the airport, arranged at your preferred time. Your driver will assist with luggage and logistics, ensuring a smooth and comfortable departure as you take in the final views of the Andean landscape.
This seamless farewell allows time to reflect on the highlights of your journey and concludes your Peru trip with attentive, personalized service to the very end.
